Boca Raton police said the victim told officers his cellphone and money clip, which contained cash, two credit cards, his driver's license and Social Security card, were stolen from his locked car Saturday morning while he was at LA Fitness. Police said there were no signs of forced entry, and the victim used his key fob to unlock the car.

A detective discovered that on the same day as the theft, Merulla had been involved in a crash on Military Trail in Deerfield Beach. Police said he had the victim's cellphone, credit cards and Social Security card.

Detectives said Merulla initially claimed he found the victim's belongings in a bag, but he later changed his story. Merulla said he watched as the victim put his keys behind the desk at the gym, took them when he walked away and went to the parking. He then used the key fob to identify the victim's car, took his belongings and returned the keys to the desk.